Device for the supply of liquid under pressure to an element at a rotating axis

Abstract

A device for the supply of a liquid under pressure to a flow passage ( 13 ) in a member in a shaft suspension unit ( 1 ) of a centrifugal separator, which has a stationary casing ( 3 ) and a unit, which is resiliently and oscillation dampingly suspended in the casing ( 3 ) by at least one elastical element ( 10 ), the member forming a part of the composed unit. To be able to supply liquid to the member in a sample manner with a certain controllable flow which is made sure under overpressure a first supply channel portion ( 19 ) is connected to a liquid source ( 16 ) for the supply of liquid under pressure extending through the stationary casing ( 3 ). To the first supply channel portion ( 19 ) there is connected a second supply channel portion ( 21 ) extending through the elastical element ( 10 ). A third supply channel portion ( 23 ) is connected to the second supply channel portion ( 21 ), extending through the non-rotatable part of the composed unit and having an outlet opening ( 24 ) in the flow passage ( 13 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A device which supplies a liquid under pressure to a member having at least one flow passage ( 13 ), through which this liquid is passing and which is kept filled up with the liquid, in a shaft suspension device ( 1 ) of a centrifugal separator having a shaft, the shaft suspension device having a stationary casing ( 3 ) and a unit being composed of parts, which are rotatable around a rotational axis, and non-rotatable parts, and being resiliently supported in the casing ( 3 ) by means of at least one elastical element ( 10 ) in such a way that the unit during operation is allowed to oscillate relative to the casing while it is influenced by the elastical element ( 10 ) with an essentially radially inwardly directed spring force which causes a damping influence by the elastical element ( 10 ) on the oscillating movements of the unit, said member forming a part of the composed unit, comprising 
       a first supply channel portion ( 19 ), which is connected to a liquid source ( 16 ) for the supply of said liquid under pressure, and which extends through the stationary casing ( 3 ),  
       a second supply channel portion ( 21 ), for transmitting said liquid under pressure, is connected to the first supply channel portion ( 19 ), and extends through the elastical element ( 10 ), and  
       a third supply channel portion ( 23 ), for transmitting said liquid under pressure, is connected to the second supply channel portion ( 21 ), and extends through a non-rotatable part in the composed unit, and has an outlet opening ( 24 ) in said flow passage ( 13 ).  
     
     
       2. A device according to claim  1 , further comprising an inlet chamber ( 20 ), which is formed in the stationary casing ( 3 ) and sealed off by means of the elastical element ( 10 ), which is annular and surrounds the rotational axis, between a part which is connected to the casing ( 3 ) and a part, which is connected to a non-rotatable part of the composed unit, the first channel portion ( 19 ) having an outlet opening in the inlet chamber ( 20 ) and the second channel portion ( 21 ) having an inlet opening ( 22 ) in the inlet chamber ( 20 ). 
     
     
       3. A device according to claim  2 , wherein that the elastical element is formed by two co-operating elastical and annular components ( 30 , 31 ) surrounding the shaft, in which the composed unit is resiliently suspended in the casing ( 3 ), and which sealingly bear against a stationary part connected to the casing and against a non-rotatable annular part connected to the composed unit, the non-rotatable annular part extending between these components. 
     
     
       4. A device according to claim  3 , wherein that the second channel portion ( 21 ) is arranged in the non-rotatable annular part, which is connected to the composed unit. 
     
     
       5. A device according to claim  3  or  4 , wherein that the non-rotatable annular part, which is connected to the composed unit extends essentially radially between the two elastical annular components ( 30 ,  31 ). 
     
     
       6. A device according to claim  1 , wherein the liquid consists of oil. 
     
     
       7. A device according to claim  1 , wherein said member comprising a liquid gap sealing device. 
     
     
       8. A device according to claim  1 , wherein said member comprising a cooling device, said flow passages comprising channels ( 38 ) for a cooling liquid.